Written by

Michele Kayal

On Thanksgiving Day how do you get the turkey into the oven and the kids out of your hair?

It's not as hard as you think, say family dinner experts. A number of strategies - crafts tables, light snacks, and yes, even inviting the kids into the kitchen - will ensure that all is well when you finally sit down to give thanks.

Though it seems counterintuitive to bring the kids into the kitchen while you're negotiating stuffing, squash and your mother-in-law's running commentary, giving eager children a job lets them feel like they're part of the action. Hand little ones a potato masher or an eggbeater, ...